Every year millions of us munch our way through dietary supplements and vitamins. The Food Standards Agency, in 2008, reported that one third of the UK population are taking vitamins and mineral supplements. Last year, the food supplements industry - vitamin pills and herbal supplements - was worth £13.5bn ($50bn) worldwide.*
But do they work? Do we need them, or are they pretty placebos?
Vitamins, or 'vital minerals' have increased in popularity since the 1800s. As diet and nutrition wisdom develops, so too has our knowledge regarding which minerals we naturally absorb, which we need in higher quantities, what helps with what and what's best avoided.
We have developed so much knowledge in fact that our shelves are stacked high with products claiming to make us feel better; have stronger bones; better skin; less water bloating; healthier liver; better eyesight ...
And while these claims may be true - vitamin C (ascorbic acid) does fight off colds, keeps gums healthy, is easily absorbed and benefits the immune system - it needs to be taken in the right dosage.
Many of the 'one-a-day' pills contain so little of the essential ingredients, they are ineffective. The Vitamins and Nutrition Centre, USA, compared four different brands of multi-vitamins. Only one of them proved to be a winner with essential ingredients and quantities. Click here for to results.
In addition, the UK has a high propensity to the 'buy-two-get-one-free' offer, but again, these are often of low quality, benefiting your purse, but not your health.
Checklist when choosing vitamins:
- Read the label
- Check the ingredients - are they organic?
- Check the 'mg' quantity for potency and dosage
- Ask how the vitamins have been measured or processed
- Are they hypoallergenic? sensitive? vegetarian
- Do they contain wheat, yeast, gluten? These 'fill-out' products are not necessary
- Is the brand reputable?
- Does the packet favour price over quality or potency
Consider buying vitamins from a reputable health company. It's better than stocking up on supermarket savers as they are specialists in their products and usually provide a full Q&A service. Their ingredients tend to be organically sourced, where possible, and their potency means you can take one a day and actually get some benefit.
*source The Guardian
Always consult your doctor if you have a medical condition, but browse some sites before you buy to compare quality. I've found the following to be useful:
Health and Goodness
Vitamin UK
Solgar